Before smartphones and selfies, there were men like Millard Fillmore Wall—armed with only a pen and a sharp eye for detail.

In this episode, we explore his 1879 handwritten memoir: vivid stories, elegant reflections, and a window into a time of change, travel, and untamed beauty in New Mexico. Another true storyteller from the remarkable Wall family.

Curwensville Days isn’t just a festival—it’s a feeling. It’s the smell of funnel cakes, the sound of fiddles on the main stage, and the kind of community spirit you don’t find just anywhere.

In this episode, we revisit the heart of summer memories—past and present—and the people working to keep those traditions alive. If you’ve ever wished you could bottle up the best parts of small-town life, this one’s for you.

He was a farmer, a philosopher, a Quaker, and a healer. Miles Wall never sought attention or fame - he just lived with quiet intention. In this episode, we dig into the life of a man whose life story invites reflection and curiosity.

What starts out as the story of a farmer unfolds into something much deeper. Tune in to meet a man whose quiet strength and open mind might just shift your perspective.

#Grampian #SocietyOfFriends #Waln #FaithHealer #Curwensville

In 1931, Grampian-born Richard Clifton Wall was found murdered in Paris. A man confessed—but was he truly guilty? Decades later, inconsistencies in his story and overlooked witness testimonies raise more questions than answers. Join us as we delve into this historical enigma, examining the evidence and exploring whether the truth can still be uncovered.

Guy Davin, Jean Barbat, Connie King, Will Henly, Emily Tauber

Most people have never heard of Mabel Waln Smith—but her story deserves to be told. An adventurer, writer, and small-town girl, Mabel’s life took a dramatic turn when she was interned in a Japanese prison camp in Shanghai during World War II. In this episode, we explore her remarkable resilience, her deeply thoughtful writing, and the strength she showed in the face of unthinkable hardship.

From small-town roots to a global stage, Mabel's story is one of courage, character, and the kind of heroism that rarely makes headlines—but should.

From the quiet hometown of Grampian, PA to the front lines of international journalism, Nora Waln’s life reads like an adventure novel. Writing for The Atlantic Monthly and The Saturday Evening Post, and living for years in China, she earned global respect as a published author—and then Adolf Hitler came knocking.

After seeing how well she wrote of China, he wanted a fawning portrait of Germany and his growing role in that country; yet she delivered only the truth, not the propaganda that Hitler expected. That act of courage forced her into a harrowing escape as the Nazis hunted down her friends and sources.

In this episode, we bring you the suspenseful, real‑life story of how Nora Waln stood up to and outwitted the most brutal regime in history—and why her voice still matters today.

In this episode, we tip our hats (and maybe blush a little) to Thomas Lincoln Wall—the local schoolteacher and historian whose book on Clearfield County history was mostly lecture with a sprinkling of legend. Turns out, while we were questioning some of his "facts," he was doing exactly what we’re doing with this podcast: weaving folklore into fact to keep his students hooked.

Join us as we dig into Thomas Lincoln Wall’s life and family. Think of it as our “apology tour,” with a few laughs, a little self-reflection, and then a preview of coming episodes about several of his children - their lives and accomplishments are the stuff of TRUE legend!

*Correction: Nora graduated from Clearfield High in 1914, not 1924.

In this week’s episode of Folklore & Facts: Grandmas Getting to the Bottom of It, we shine a light on Curwensville's Jane Patton Irvin. Wife of William Irvin Jr. and mother to fifteen—including E.A. Irvin, captain of the famed Bucktail Regiment Company K—Jane didn't sit around worrying when her sons went off to war, she took action.

When E.A. and fellow soldiers were taken prisoner, she traveled all the way to Washington, D.C., petitioned President Abraham Lincoln himself, and helped secure a crucial prisoner exchange. Back home, she rallied her community—raising funds, gathering supplies, and delivering care packages to soldiers.

Join us as we trace Jane’s steps from the family home on State Street to the White House, explore her faith-driven philanthropy in Curwensville, and uncover the legacy she left behind—one of tenacity, compassion, and the unshakeable belief that a mother’s love could move a commander-in-chief.

Tune in and discover how one remarkable “grandma” made history, and why her story still resonates in our town today.